Page 39 of A Trial of the Heart

“Yes,” he said as we reached a door.

I stepped away, uncomfortable with the idea of going somewhere alone with him. “Your name,” I said. “Give me your name, and I’ll consider going with you.”

“You’ve already assessed enough information to take a guess at my identity, have you not?” He interlocked his hands behind his back, cocking an eyebrow of anticipation in my direction.

His lean, muscular frame that gave him a unique sense of gracefulness I hadn’t seen before. His deep-set blue eyes were cunning, ever calculating, and draped under a mesh of midnight-black hair hanging below his brow. I took note of the softness of his hands. Indicated that he was not a battle-hardened warrior but possibly a warrior of a different kind.

A scholar.

“Rhett Parmeet.”

A moment of silence passed between us as an unabashed grin adorned the corner of his mouth. “Very clever, indeed.” He reached for the handle of a door and opened it. “After you.”

What would it say about me if I blindly followed his lead?

So, I tried once more to listen for my animal. Nothing—Really? Seriously? Come on. I sighed, gritted my teeth, and pushed back my shoulders to give the illusion that I held no ounce of fear. “How long will this take?”

“Long enough to go unnoticed, if you don’t dawdle,” he said in a calm, even tone. “And enough time to accomplish our intended task.”

“Which is?”

“You’ll have to step inside to find out,” Rhett said, his hands still folded behind his back.

I nodded and boldly followed his direction, entering the doorway and stepping through. Rhett followed, waving his hand to illuminate fae lights that hung along various columns. Endless stacks of books and trinkets lined the shelving on the walls, surrounding a single stand in the center. I was overwhelmed by the vast collection of texts that towered over my head, seeming to continue with no end.

I gasped as I raced toward the books on the shelves, delicately tracing my fingers over the spines, reveling in their presence. I could spend years here and never tire of the endless stories and knowledge I could learn from the pages of wisdom I eagerly wished to devour.

“You’re an admirer of knowledge as well?”

I nodded as I inhaled a deep breath to take in the delicious aroma of the room. Awakening a feeling of peace and fullness inside my soul. Books always had adistinct essence that called to me. The knowledge locked away in these pages was a gift. Something to be cherished and protected.

“You’re their keeper?” I asked with a piqued interest.

“Yes,” Rhett said as he strode to the center of the room. “That, along with various trinkets I’ve collected over the years. Each has its own story to tell, and not only the written words.”

“Your gift.” I recalled that Rhett could see the past of an object just by touching it.

Rhett nodded as he moved to the stand in the middle and beckoned me to join him. “This is what I wanted to show you.”

I rounded the book stand and gazed upon a scroll that appeared to be centuries old. “What is this, exactly?”

“Pull back the left sleeve of your gown. You seem to be a clever female—I’m sure you’ll notice the similarities.”

I did as he said and exposed my arm where the champion’s mark flared to life across my skin. “It matches the seal.” I slowly reached out to touch the scroll.

Rhett moved in a flash and firmly grasped my wrist. “Please, don’t touch it.”

Although he was firm, I knew I could free myself if I wanted, and his grip didn’t cause me harm. I could sense that this was merely a warning, and he didn’t intend to hurt me.

“What is this?” I asked again.

“This, dear Champion, is the scroll of the Heart of Valdor.” Rhett released my wrist and very gently waved his hand over the scroll, using his magic to unroll the parchment so it was fully exposed to the fae light.

“The Trials of the Heart of Valdor.” I gasped at the black star design that adorned my skin and how it was identical to the three on the scroll. Next to each star held a title, alluding to aspects that each trial would entail.

The trial of the mind. The trial of the body. The trial of the soul.

“This enchanted parchment is linked to the Heart of Valdor,” Rhett said. “The first trial is described here.” He directed my eyeline to the writing near the star closest to the top.

---